Coe won their first IIAC title on Sunday. Coe athletics photo

Junior Sean Raisch. threw eight scoreless innings on the mound and drove in the game-winning run Sunday, as Coe beat Wartburg 2-1 in the IIAC Championship game.

The Kohawks struck first, with the first run of the game coming in the fifth inning.  Junior Adam Nisenson (Crystal Lake, Ill./Central) singled to shortstop and advanced to second on a throwing error to start the inning.  A sacrifice bunt by senior Kevin Schuver (Marion, Iowa/Marion) moved Nisenson to third.  A wild pitch by Wartburg's Dan Grosser allowed Nisenson to score.

Coe added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, which proved to be the winning run.  With one out, junior Tyler Leadley (Fort Dodge, Iowa/Fort Dodge) walked.  After a pitching change for the Knights, Leadley stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher.  With one out, Raisch hit a fly ball to right field that allowed Leadley to score from third.

Raisch gave way to freshman Tyler Hixson (Davenport, Iowa/Assumption) in the ninth inning.  With one out, Ben Roemmich singled to first base for the Knights.  A fielder's choice left put Andrew Krehbiel at first with two outs.  After a passed ball, Krehbiel scored on a single to center field by Patrick Grau.  The Kohawks got the final out on a ground ball to shortstop.

Nisenson and junior Brennan Melloy (Bernard, Iowa/Cascade) led the Kohawks with two hits apiece.  Senior Ryan Velvick (Swisher, Iowa/Prairie) had Coe's only other hit.  Raisch threw eight innings, giving up just three hits and striking out three.  He improved to 5-2 on the year.

The Kohawks will learn their destination for the NCAA Regionals on Monday morning.  We'll have all the details on CoeAthletics.com when they are available.